Mexico, Nigeria trade close chances in scoreless draw

Mexico and Nigeria briefly had to play with smoke bombs on the field in a scoreless draw in Atlanta.

Dave Tulis/AP

ATLANTA (AP) - Raul Jimenez's late header for Mexico went just wide in a 0-0 draw with Nigeria in an international friendly Wednesday at the Georgia Dome.

The game between World Cup qualifiers attracted 68,212 fans, the largest crowd for a football match in Atlanta. The previous record was 54,229 for a 2013 Gold Cup doubleheader that included Mexico.

Nigerian backup goalkeeper Austin Ejide, a late substitute for Vincent Enyeama, had to make a couple of saves in the final 10 minutes, but he would not have reached Jimenez's shot if it were on target. Jimenez got to a corner at the far post and his diving header sailed inches outside the post.

Mexico will play a friendly against the United States on April 2 in Glendale, Arizona.

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